Hicks wins coveted Rising Star Award
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Impressions Catering owner and chef Greg Hicks received the Rising Star Award Wednesday at the second annual small business luncheon held at the Museum Center at Five Points.
Some 150 people attended this year’s event which was preceded by an hour of business displays by eight participating vendors.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive the award,” Hicks said. “I’m not a typical business that would go to the [Tennessee] Small Business Development Center.”
He was in business for 10 years before first going to the local TSBDC. He operated a variety of food-related services before opening his own operation. But every one helped shape what he is doing now and what he’ll do in the future. He had hoped to write his own paycheck six months after opening his current business.
But it only took roughly two months. And he has made a profit ever since.
But the economic downturn did affect his business — especially near the end of 2009.
“I felt burnt out, ready to throw in the towel,” he said, “or, go to the next level. I chose to go to the next level.”
That’s when he prayed to God to show him what to do.
“I firmly believe God brought Brenda into our lives,” he said.
Early in 2010, he turned to the Cleveland State Community College TSBDC and Brenda Sheehy, its director. He decided to make a year’s commitment to the program to turn his business around.
“There was no magic bullet,” he said. During this time, he learned to understand his financials, pursue his niche markets, learn who they are and implement procedures in a regular and consistent way. “It was 1 1/2 years of hard decisions.”
Business affects everything in your life, Hicks said.
“It’s your child,” he said.
There is no way, he said, his company could be where it is today without the help and guidance of the center, especially from Sheehy. Right now, he is booked for almost two months.
“I want to thank Brenda personally,” he said, which was followed by giving her a warm embrace.
“It wasn’t me, it was you,” Sheehy told Hicks. The TSBDC counsels a lot of people, she added, and not all are as successful. It takes a lot of hard work. “I take my hat off to you. I applaud you,” she said.
Some 150 people attended this year’s event which was preceded by an hour of business displays by eight participating vendors.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to receive the award,” Hicks said. “I’m not a typical business that would go to the [Tennessee] Small Business Development Center.”
He was in business for 10 years before first going to the local TSBDC. He operated a variety of food-related services before opening his own operation. But every one helped shape what he is doing now and what he’ll do in the future. He had hoped to write his own paycheck six months after opening his current business.
But it only took roughly two months. And he has made a profit ever since.
But the economic downturn did affect his business — especially near the end of 2009.
“I felt burnt out, ready to throw in the towel,” he said, “or, go to the next level. I chose to go to the next level.”
That’s when he prayed to God to show him what to do.
“I firmly believe God brought Brenda into our lives,” he said.
Early in 2010, he turned to the Cleveland State Community College TSBDC and Brenda Sheehy, its director. He decided to make a year’s commitment to the program to turn his business around.
“There was no magic bullet,” he said. During this time, he learned to understand his financials, pursue his niche markets, learn who they are and implement procedures in a regular and consistent way. “It was 1 1/2 years of hard decisions.”
Business affects everything in your life, Hicks said.
“It’s your child,” he said.
There is no way, he said, his company could be where it is today without the help and guidance of the center, especially from Sheehy. Right now, he is booked for almost two months.
“I want to thank Brenda personally,” he said, which was followed by giving her a warm embrace.
“It wasn’t me, it was you,” Sheehy told Hicks. The TSBDC counsels a lot of people, she added, and not all are as successful. It takes a lot of hard work. “I take my hat off to you. I applaud you,” she said.
Read more: Cleveland Daily Banner - Hicks wins coveted Rising Star Award
